Apparatus and methods for monitoring quantities of fluid in a container

ABSTRACT

The present technology relates to a volumetric measurement device and various methods for operation of the device. The device comprises at least one accelerometer for detecting the angle of tilt/tip of a container. The device also comprises at least one fluid property processor capable of providing at least one fluidic property value of a fluid, a flow-rate processor capable of continuously calculating the present flow rate of the fluid when poured from the container, and a volume processor capable of continuously calculating the present volume of the fluid within the container. The flow-rate processor calculates the rate of flow of the fluid poured from the container based on the angle of tilt/tip of the apparatus, the at least one fluid property value, and the present volume of fluid within the container.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

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FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present technology generally relates to one or more an apparati andmethods for monitoring the quantity of fluid in a container. Morespecifically, the apparati relates to methods and devices that determinethe quantity of fluid poured from a container in an enhanced precisionmanner based on the application of a mathematical algorithm to the angleof tilt of the container.

Monitoring the amount of fluid transferred between vessels is animportant practice in operations that involve frequent transfer offluids. Auto repair shops, laboratories, plants, and even kitchens arefrequently measuring the amount of fluid transferred between containers.For example, a chemical production facility may need to transfer aportion of fluid (e.g., one gallon) from a 55-gallon storage drum into amixer, preferably in a precise manner.

Typically, to transfer the desired amount of fluid, a user is requiredto first pour the fluid into a separate measuring container, such as agraduated measuring cup or other volume measuring container, so that theappropriate amount of fluid can be separated. Then, the fluid istransferred from the measuring container into the desired locationcompleting a two-or-more-step process.

Such conventional measuring processes are undesirable for severalreasons. First, the additional “transfer to an intermediate measuringcontainer” step is inefficient as it takes more and labor and time thanis ideal. The additional step also adds error to the measurement,providing an opportunity for spilling, over-pouring individual operatorerror, and multiple operator error. The additional step also requiresthe use of another vessel or container, which may need to be cleanedbetween uses, tared properly, and takes up space, thus adding clutter toa work environment. Additionally, the viscosity of fluids inevitablycauses the fluid to stick to the walls of the measuring container, inturn adversely affecting the accuracy of the overall measurement methodits repeatability and precision of measurement.

As a result, there exists a need for one or more methods and apparatithat measure the volume of fluid poured directly from one container toanother, without the use of, for example, a second step, or a thirdmeasuring container that overcomes one or more of the undesirableoutcomes noted above.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the present technology present a volumetricmeasurement device, comprising at least one accelerometer for detectingthe angle of tilt of a container. The device also comprises at least onefluid property processor capable of providing at least one fluidicproperty value of a fluid, a flow-rate processor capable of continuouslycalculating the present flow rate of the fluid when poured from thecontainer, and a volume processor capable of continuously calculatingthe present volume of the fluid within the container. The flow-rateprocessor calculates the rate of flow of the fluid poured from thecontainer based on the angle of tilt of the container, the at least onefluid property value, and the present volume of fluid within thecontainer.

Certain embodiments present methods for measuring the volume of fluidpoured from a container. The method comprises providing a monitorcomprising an accelerometer and at least one processor and attaching themonitor to the container at a location about the tipping axis of thecontainer. Next, the method involves tilting the container along thetipping axis and measuring the angle of tilt using the monitor. Themethod also comprises continuously calculating the present volume offluid remaining in the container relative to the angle of tilt, andcontinuously calculating the rate of flow of fluid poured from thecontainer based at least on the angle of tilt and the present volumewithin the container.

Certain embodiments present a fluid storage system for monitoring thevolume of fluid poured from a container. The system comprises acontainer capable of storing a fluid and a pouring monitor attached tothe container. The monitor comprises an accelerometer detecting theangle of tilt of the container and a fluid property processor providingat least one fluid property value of the fluid in the container. Themonitor also has a flow-rate processor continuously calculating thepresent rate of flow of fluid poured from the container; and a volumeprocessor for continuously calculating the present volume of fluidwithin the container. The flow-rate processor of the monitor calculatesthe rate of flow of the fluid poured from the container based on theangle of tilt of the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a volumetric fluid measuring device attached to acontainer in accordance with at least one embodiment of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 2 depicts a diagram of various components of a volumetric fluidmeasuring device in accordance with at least one embodiment of thepresent technology.

FIG. 3 depicts a graph showing the relationship between dynamicviscosity and temperature for a variety of fluids.

FIG. 4 depicts a 2-dimensional schematic diagram for calculation of thevolume of fluid in a container having a cylindrical shape.

FIG. 5 depicts a 2-dimensional schematic diagram for calculation of thevolume of fluid in a container having a box-type shape.

FIG. 6 depicts a 3-dimensional schematic diagram for calculation of thevolume of fluid in a container having a box-type shape.

FIG. 7 depicts a graph showing the relationship of flow rate to volumeof fluid in a container for a variety of tilt angles using water as afluid and a 55-gallon drum as a container.

FIG. 8 depicts a graph showing the relationship of flow rate to volumeof fluid in a container for a variety of tilt angles using oil as afluid and a 55-gallon drum as a container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present technology describes volumetric measuring devices andmethods for monitoring the volume of fluid transferred from, andremaining in, a container. For example, a container, such as a 55-gallondrum, may contain an initial volume of fluid. Over time, the fluid maybe poured from the drum to various other containers, vessels or to otherlocations. Certain embodiments of the present technology present amonitor for calculating the volume of water transferred from, andremaining, for example, within a 55-gallon drum based on the angle oftilt of the drum.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a monitor 100 monitoring the volume offluid in a container 150. In View A of FIG. 1, the monitor 100 isattached to a container 150 holding a particular volume of fluid 10. Adisplay 110 on the monitor 100 depicts a present value of volume offluid within the container (“40 G”, or 40 gallons in View A). As thecontainer is tipped at an angle of tilt, a, as shown in View B of FIG.1, the fluid 10 pours out of the container 110, through a hole 155,which may be a bunghole, a spout, valve or other suitable orifice knownin the art for allowing the flow of fluid to pass out of the container150. The monitor 100, monitors the volume of fluid 10 poured from thecontainer 150, based at least upon the angle of tilt α, and modifies thevalue of display 110 (39 G, or 39 gallons in View B) based, in part,thereon.

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic diagram of the internal operations and thevarious components of a volumetric measuring monitor 200 in accordancewith at least one embodiment of the present technology. A power source205 provides the power to operate all elements of the monitor. The powersource may be, for example, a battery or batteries installed into themonitor, or the power source may be a source of alternating current,such as a 12 volt power supply.

A central processor 210 regulates the operations of all components ofthe monitor 200. An accelerometer 220 measures the changes inacceleration of the monitor. As the monitor is tilted or tipped, theaccelerometer 220 may detect the angle of tilt (i.e., tip) based uponthe changes of acceleration, or gravitational pull, and the position ofthe accelerometer. Alternatively, the accelerometer 220 may generate asignal based on the degree of tilt and transmit the signal to thecentral processor 210 where the tilting angle is calculated.

A fluid property processor 270 generates values for the properties ofthe fluid in the container. The fluid property processor 270 may bepre-programmed with certain values for a particular fluid, such aswater, for example. The fluid property processor 270 may be programmedwith values such as fluid density, fluid viscosity (kinematic viscosityand/or dynamic viscosity), fluid specific gravity, fluid conductivity,the specific heat of the fluid, the thermal diffusivity of the fluid,the thermal expansion coefficient of the fluid, the Prandtl numberassociated with the fluid, or any other value which may factor into theflow rate of the fluid. In certain embodiments, the fluid propertyprocessor 270 interacts with a temperature gauge 290 on the monitor 200that detects the temperature of the ambient to modify the fluid propertyvalues in accordance with a change in the ambient temperature. Forexample, where the fluid in the container is water, and the temperaturegauge detects an increase in the ambient temperature, the fluid propertyprocessor will generate new values for fluid properties such as density,and viscosity. FIG. 3 depicts a chart depicting the relationship betweentemperature and the dynamic viscosities of various fluids. Accordingly,data such as the data of FIG. 3 may be pre-programmed into the fluidproperty processor 270 and used to dynamically modify the fluid propertyvalues of the fluid as it changes with respect to a change in ambientconditions.

In certain embodiments, the monitor 200 may be designed exclusively foruse in one type of fluid, for example, water. In such embodiments, thefluid property processor may provide one set of fluid property valuesthat operate with the central processor 210 to generate the appropriatevolumetric flow calculations.

The rate of flow of fluid into and out of the container depends in parton the container type. For example, water will flow out of a 55-galloncontainer at a different flow rate than it will flow out of a one galloncontainer, even when both containers are tilted at the same angle, andhave the same initial volume. Accordingly, certain embodiments of thepresent technology provide a container property processor 260 thatprovides values for the physical properties of the container holding thefluid. For example, the container property processor 260 may providevalues for the size and dimensions of the container, the material of thecontainer, the size and location of the hole at which point the fluid ispoured from the container, the ventilation properties of the container,or any other value which may affect the rate of flow of fluid from thecontainer. The container property processor may be pre-programmed withthe container properties for a variety of pre-stored container types.For example, the container property processor 260 may provide thecontainer properties for a standard 55-gallon drum, a standard sized canof paint, a standard one-gallon milk jug, a five gallon bucket and atwenty gallon barrel. Depending on the container type selected by themonitor, the container property processor 260 will provide theappropriate corresponding container property values for the selectedcontainer type.

In certain embodiments, the monitor 200 may be designed exclusively foruse in one type of container, for example, a 55-gallon drum. In suchembodiments, the monitor may not have a container property processor.Instead, the monitor 200 will generate the volume of fluid in thecontainer based on the container property values for which the monitor200 is designed to be used.

In certain embodiments, the monitor may comprise an input 280. The inputmay be in the form of a single button, or a keypad having multiplebuttons allowing a user to enter information into the monitor device. Inother embodiments, the input may be in the form of a receiver, receivinginformation input from a device external to the monitor. For example,the input may be a wireless signal receiver that receives signalstransmitted from a computer, via the Internet. The receiver may alsoallow for electronic connections, such that the monitor can connect to adevice such as a computer and download or input necessary information.

The input 280 allows a user to enter information into the monitor to beused to determine the volume of fluid within the container. For example,the input 280 may receive information pursuant to the initial volume offluid within the container, the fluid property values and/or thecontainer property values. In certain embodiments a user may select afluid type and/or a container type from a pre-programmed list or listsof fluid types and/or container types, where each fluid type andcontainer type has a pre-assigned fluid property and container propertyvalues, respectively. For example, a user may be provided a list for avariety of fluid types such as water, oil, paint, milk, honey, a varietyof water-oil emulsions, salt, brake fluid, gasoline or any other fluidor substance that is capable of being poured from a container.Additionally, a user may be provided with a list for a variety ofcontainer types including, but not limited to, a 55-gallon drum, a 5gallon bucket, a standard paint can, a standard gallon milk jug, and aten gallon bucket. Each fluid type and container type will have apre-assigned set of fluid property values and container property values,respectively, that will be provided by the fluid property and containerproperty processors for use in determining the rate of flow of fluid outof the container.

The monitor may also have an output 250, such as the display 110 ofFIG. 1. The output may display values generated by the monitor such as,for example, flow rate of fluid out of the container, volume of fluidpoured since calibration, volume of fluid remaining in the container,the angle of tilt of the container, or the temperature of the ambient,for example. A user may control the display produced on the output 250via the input 280. For example, the user may scroll through a variety ofdisplay options by pressing a button on the monitor device, andselecting that display using the input 280. In certain embodiments, theoutput 250 may be, for example, a transmitter sending data to a deviceexterior to the monitor. As a further example, where the monitor isintended to be used on a container that is poured using a forklift orother device where the operator doing the pouring is not able to readthe monitor, the output transmitter may send a signal to a remote devicethat can display the necessary information to the operator.

In certain embodiments, a calibration processor 202 may be provided tocalculate the initial volume of fluid in the container. To calibrate, ordetermine the initial volume of fluid in the container, a user maytilt/tip the container to the angle where fluid begins to pour from thecontainer. Via the input 280, the user may instruct the calibrationprocessor 202 to note the angle as the initial pour angle. With thetilt/tip angle information and knowledge of the container propertyvalues, the calibration processor can calculate the initial volume offluid in the container. Depending on the container properties of thecontainer used, different equations or algorithms may be applied by thecalibration processor. For example, where the container selected is a55-gallon drum, the calibration processor will apply different equationsor algorithms to determine the initial volume than for where thecontainer selected is a five gallon bucket, even where the angle oftilt/tip where fluid begins to pour is the same. Different containerswill also require different volume calculations based on the dimensionsand other physical properties of the container. The accuracy of themeasured tilt/tip angle by the accelerometer also have an effect on thecalculation of the total volume of fluid in the container.

The accuracy of volume calculations depends on the accuracy of the angleof tilt/tip being measured. Additionally, the greater the angle oftilt/tip, the more volume of fluid will flow from the container.Accordingly, the accuracy of the measurement of the total volume offluid poured from a container will depend on the accuracy of thetilt/tip angle measurement and the present angle of tilt/tip for thecontainer. For an open cylinder can having a diameter equal to itsheight, the calculations will be faster and more accurate, for example,when the container has more fluid present in the container, asillustrated by FIG. 4. The results of volume testing for a cylindricalcontainer having a diameter equal to its height are shown in Table 1below. Where a container is resting flat (depicted in the table ashaving a 90.0 degree tilt/tip angle), a change in tilt/tip angle of onedegree pours approximately 0.87% of the volume of fluid out of thecontainer. When the container has a tilt/tip angle of 50°, eachadditional degree of tilt will pour more than 1.5% of the containervolume. Thus, where a monitor has an accelerometer accurate to within 1°the accuracy of a measurement of pour for a 16 oz container will beapproximately ¼ of an oz. Likewise the accuracy of pour for a 1 galloncontainer (128 oz) would be approximately 2 oz, and 55 gal containerwould have a measurement accuracy of approximately 1 gallon, where thecontainer is a cylinder having a diameter equal to its height.

TABLE 1 Calculations assume diameter equals height of container % Volume% Volume % Volume Final Change of Change of Change of Angle Volume %Volume 16 oz can 128 oz can 55 gallon degrees % Change oz oz gal 90.0100% 89.0 99% 0.87% 0.14 1.12 0.48 80.0 91% 0.90% 0.14 1.15 0.49 79.090% 0.90% 0.14 1.16 0.50 70.0 82% 0.98% 0.16 1.26 0.54 69.0 81% 0.99%0.16 1.27 0.55 60.0 71% 1.15% 0.18 1.47 0.63 59.0 70% 1.18% 0.19 1.500.65 50.0 58% 1.47% 0.23 1.88 0.81 49.0 57% 1.51% 0.24 1.93 0.83 48.055% 1.56% 0.25 1.99 0.86 47.0 53% 1.61% 0.26 2.06 0.88 46.0 52% 1.66%0.27 2.12 0.91 45.0 50% 1.72% 0.27 2.20 0.94

To calculate the fluid pour rates based upon the angle of tilt/tip, themonitor would need information pertaining to certain container propertyvalues. At minimum, for a cylindrical container, the monitor wouldrequire knowledge of the radius (or diameter) and height of thecontainer. For a non-open top cylinder (i.e., a container having a lidwith an opening or a spout for pouring), the monitor would requireknowledge of other measurements as well. For example, knowledge of thespout center, or distance from the edge of the container and spoutradius would be necessary information to calculate the fluid poured fromthe container.

Where containers are not cylinders, the monitor would require thedimensions necessary to calculate the internal volume of the container.For example, where a container is a rectangular box, the monitor wouldrequire knowledge of the length, width and height of the box, so as tocalculate the volume of the box. The information about the dimensions ofthe container may be entered into the device by a user via the input280. For example, a user may be prompted for the diameter and height ofthe container. Alternatively, the user may provide the length, width andheight of a container that has a box-type shape.

In certain embodiments, the monitor may provide an interface to the userthrough an output 250 that interacts with the input 280 to receiveinformation about the container dimensions. For example, a user mayscroll through a list of pre-recorded container types, each containertype having an associated set of dimensions necessary to calculate thecontainer volume. Thus, a user may scroll through a series of optionssuch as “standard 55-gallon drum,” “standard quart of oil,” “standardgallon of paint,” and select the appropriate container. Where the userselects the standard 55-gallon drum, the container would automaticallyrecognize the dimensions of the container as having a diameter of 22.5inches (572 mm) and 33.5 inches (850 mm) in height.

In other embodiments, a user may select a container shape from apre-programmed list of shapes, and then be prompted by the monitor toinput the necessary dimensions for the container. For example, where auser selects a container shape as a box-type shape, the monitor may thenprompt the user for the length, width and height of the container. Wherethe user selects a container shape as a covered cylinder, for example,the user may be prompted by the monitor for the diameter (or radius) andheight of the container, as well as the size of the spout on the lid ofthe container, and the coordinates of the spout's location.

Many calculations for the volume of a cylinder involve multiple variablecalculus integrals. A computer or a processor, such as the centralprocessor 210, the volume processor 240, or the flow rate processor 240can be used to evaluate these integrals by means of iterative summing,for example. Iterative summing involves dividing the volume of thecontainer into several small volumes to be counted. The smaller thevolumes, the more accurate the results of the iterative summing will be.A table can be generated and programmed into a microcontroller or aprocessor for ease and acceleration of referencing. Table 2 shows partof a simulation from 43° down to 1°.

TABLE 2 Calculations assume diameter equals height of container % Volume% Volume % Volume Final Change of Change of Change of Angle Volume %Volume 16 oz can 128 oz can 55 gallon degrees % Change oz oz gal 44.046% 3.60% 0.58 4.61 1.98 43.0 45% 1.70% 0.27 2.18 0.94 42.0 43% 1.69%0.27 2.16 0.93 41.0 41% 1.68% 0.27 2.14 0.92 40.0 40% 1.65% 0.26 2.120.91 31.0 26% 1.38% 0.22 1.77 0.76 30.0 25% 1.34% 0.21 1.72 0.74 21.014% 1.05% 0.17 1.34 0.58 20.0 13% 1.01% 0.16 1.30 0.56 11.0 6% 0.73%0.12 0.94 0.40 10.0 5% 0.70% 0.11 0.90 0.39 2.0 0% 0.37% 0.06 0.48 0.201.0 0% 0.29% 0.05 0.37 0.16

The volume of fluid in a rectangular, or box-type container is depictedin FIGS. 5 and 6. Where the container is tilted/tipped only along oneaxis, the volume may be found by determining the areas of the sides ofthe container under the liquid level, and multiplied by the width of thecontainer. From this view, as depicted in FIG. 5, the dimensionsnecessary to calculate the areas are found using simple calculationsusing the length (L) and height (H) of the container, as well as thedistance of the opening from the container edge and the height and sizeof the opening (D).

The calculation of volume in the container is achieved differently ifthe tilting/tipping occurs in more than one direction, as shown in FIG.6. This may be achieved using iterative summing or other means known bythose of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring again to FIG. 2, a flow rate processor 230 calculates the rateof flow of fluid poured from the container. The flow rate processor usesthe angle of tilt/tip of the container, the container property values,the fluid property values, and the present volume of fluid in thecontainer. The present volume of fluid in the container is calculated bya volume processor 240. Because the rate of flow of fluid from thecontainer is dependent on the volume of fluid in the container, and thevolume of fluid in the container is dependent on the rate of fluidflowing from the container, the volume processor 240 and the flow rateprocessor 230 are operating continuously, and in conjunction with oneanother. For example, as the amount of fluid in the container decreasesat a particular angle of tilt/tip, the rate of flow of fluid poured fromthe container will also decrease. However, as fluid is poured from thecontainer, the volume of fluid in the container is continuouslydecreasing. Accordingly, the central processor 210 regulates theinteraction of the volume processor 240 with the flow rate processor230.

In certain embodiments, the central processor 210 provides real-timemonitoring of the interaction between the components of the monitor 200.For example, central processor 210 may provide real-time monitoring ofthe interaction between at least two of: the flow rate processor 230;the volume processor 240; the fluid property processor 270; thecontainer property processor 260; the accelerometer 220; and thetemperature gauge 290. The real-time monitoring allows the centralprocessor to dynamically calculate the flow rate of fluid poured fromthe container and the present volume of fluid poured from, or remainingin the container, by continuously monitoring the flow rate and volume offluid based on the changing values of flow rate, volume of fluid, andfluid and container property values.

The flow rate processor 230 calculates the rate of flow of fluid pouredfrom the container based upon the angle of tilt/tip of the container,the fluid property values, the container property values, and thepresent volume of fluid in the container. In certain embodiments, theflow rate processor measures the rate of flow of fluid out of thecontainer based only on the angle of tilt/tip of the container and thelength of time. For example, the flow rate processor may calculate therate of flow of fluid based upon a model provide for a particular typeof fluid and a particular type of container.

When modeling is provided for a particular fluid and a particularcontainer, one or more equations or one or more algorithms (e.g.,container volume=−77.233x⁴+172.16x³−91.315x²+29.615x+18.756, where x isthe rate of flow of fluid from the container at one angle of tilt/tip)may be generated by testing pour rates at various tilt/tip angles andrates of flow. The equations and/or algorithms may be generated byexperimentation where the rate of flow of fluid out of a container ismeasured based on the angle of tilt/tip of the device. The descriptionof such an experiment is described below.

The flow rate for both water and oil were measured when poured from a 55gallon drum. The results were used to create a model for reportingvolume of fluid poured based on the angle of tilt of a 55 gallon drumand time. The model for water poured from a 55-gallon drum is depictedby the graph of FIG. 7. The results of the testing showed that a seriesof equations and/or algorithms would be able to measure the flow ratesfor a particular fluid poured from a particular container. A singledevice could therefore be programmed to operate over a range of fluidshaving various viscosities, densities and other fluid properties, wherethose fluid properties were known or generated, for example, by a fluidproperty processor 270. The device could also operate over a range ofcontainers, where the container properties were known and/orprogrammed/pre-programmed by the measurement device of the presenttechnology.

The model was created using a testing procedure involving the followingsteps:

-   -   Step 1) The container was filled to the top with fluid.    -   Step 2) The container was tilted, or tipped, to a particular        angle (angle A), and the angle was recorded.    -   Step 3) The volume of fluid in the container and the flow rate        of fluid out of the container were measured and recorded until        the fluid flow stopped. This was done by recording the poured        fluid weight with a time stamp and deriving the pouring rate        from the recorded volume and time data.    -   Step 4) The container was stood upright, and refilled with        fluid.    -   Step 5) The container was then tilted/tipped to another        particular angle different from the previous angle (angle B) and        steps 3 and 4 were repeated    -   Step 6) Steps 3, 4 and 5 were continuously repeated until        results were recorded for six different angles (see angles A, B,        C, D, E and F of FIG. 7)    -   Step 7) The flow rate data was plotted against the volume of        fluid in the container data, as shown in FIG. 7 for each of the        six measured angles.    -   Step 8) Repeat steps 1 through 7 for other fluids having various        fluid property values (determined by temperature, pressure,        etc).

During the experiment yielding the model depicted by the graph of FIG.7, fluid was poured from a 55 gallon drum mounted with an accelerometer,and poured into a barrel supported by load cells to measure the weightof the fluid poured. From this measured data, the pour rate wascalculated and graphed against volume of fluid remaining in thecontainer for various angles of pour. In other words, at a particulartilt/tip angle (e.g., 77°), the rate of flow of fluid out of thecontainer was measured and charted against the volume of fluid remainingin the container. FIG. 7 depicts the results of the data. In FIG. 7, acurve was extrapolated based upon the data for each of a series of testsperformed at a given angle of tilt/tip. For a tilt/tip angle of 77° (seeangle α of FIG. 1 for the tilt/tip angle), the flow rate can be derivedfrom the following equation:y=−77.233x ⁴+172.16x ³−91.315x ²+29.615x+18.756   Flow Rate Equation 1

Where y represents the volume of fluid in the container, and x is therate of flow of fluid poured from the container. At different angle oftilt/tip, the equation may change, however, for a particular fluid typeit is possible that the equation can remain the same for a variety oftilt/tip angles, perhaps only varying by an offset. By performing thetesting and modeling as described, an equation or series of equationscan be generated such that, at a particular angle of tilt/tip, the fluidflow rate x can be calculated as a function of the volume of fluidremaining in the drum. Accordingly, the monitor may apply a differentequation or algorithm each time the accelerometer detects a change intilt/tip of the monitor so that the appropriate equation is generatingthe rate of flow, the new equation based upon data obtained from similartesting done at a new angle of pour.

As shown in FIG. 7, the flow rate equation for a tilt/tip angle of 70°is different from the Flow Rate Equation 1 for a tilt/tip angle of 77°.However, the juxtaposition of the Flow Rate Equation 1 curve over thedata points for the testing done at 70° shows that the equation at 70°would vary only by an offset (i.e., only the 18.756 value in theequation would be significantly changed). Thus, in certain embodiments,the equations or algorithms used by the monitor may be scalable over aparticular tilt/tip angle range.

FIG. 8 depicts the results from a second experiment performed using thesame procedure to obtain the results of FIG. 7, this time using oilpoured from a 55-gallon drum instead of water. Because the fluid of oilhas different fluid property values than water, the results of the pourrates yielded different results. For a tilt/tip angle of 79.8 degrees,the data yielded the following equationy=368.85x ⁴−434.33x ³+157.52x ²−3.1447x+17.506   Flow Rate Equation 2

Where y represents the volume of fluid in the container, and x is therate of flow of fluid poured from the container. Given an initial volumeof fluid, the monitor may calculate the flow rate (x) from the aboveequations from the known volume. Thus, given the amount of oil in thecontainer and the present tilt/tip angle, the flow rate processor maycalculate the present flow rate of oil out of the container, and thevolume processor can thus continuously calculate the present volume offluid in the container. The central processor may regulate theinteraction of the two processors to ensure dynamic calculation of flowrate and volumes as the tilt/tip angle of the container changes withtime.

Thus, modeling can be performed for any fluid and/or any container andimplemented into a monitor. In certain embodiments, the monitor mayprovide a learning mode, where the flow rates can be calculated for anew fluid and/or container. For example, a user may obtain testing datafrom experiments that yield equations for rates of flow at given anglesfor a particular fluid and a particular container type. The user mayupload the testing data into the monitor via an input or other uploadingmeans, and instruct the monitor to apply the new data as rules when theappropriate fluid and container are used.

For example, testing may be performed by a third party to record theappropriate equations or tables of flow rates for a particular type offluid and a particular container. The third party may make thisinformation available, for uploading into a monitor by posting the dataor the software instructions necessary to operate the monitor over theInternet, for example. The user may then input this test data into themonitor through an input on the measurement device of the presenttechnology.

In certain embodiments, the processor may not be able to operate fastenough to continuously calculate the value of flow rate (x) from aquadratic equation for the flow rate, such as the Flow Rate Equationsidentified above. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the monitor maycomprise a plurality of processors and/or central processors to morerapidly and accurately generate flow rate values. Alternatively, theprocessor may be pre-programmed with a look-up table of approximatevalues for the flow rate based upon an angle of tilt/tip and presentvolume of fluid in the container. For example, the flow rate processormay involve a look-up routine that references a matrix of data to obtainan approximate flow-rate based on the various factors provided by themonitor, such as fluid property values, container property values, angleof tilt/tip and present volume of fluid. Where the equations are toodifficult for the processors of the monitor to timely calculate, thereference table can provide a quicker solution by allowing forapproximate referencing.

As discussed, there are several ways in which a user may operate avolumetric flow monitoring device in accordance with the presentlydescribed technology. An example mode of operation in accordance with atleast one embodiment of the present technology will now be described.First, a user may check with the monitor manual to confirm the productis correctly configured for the fluid type being poured, and thecontainer type holding the fluid. If the monitor is not configured tooperate with the fluid and/or the container the user may input thenecessary information into the monitor. For example, the user may obtaindata from a data source that provides the monitor with the informationnecessary to operate with the fluid and/or the container of intendeduse, and transmit that data through an input into the monitor.Alternatively, the user may enter the necessary information in manuallythrough the use of an input device on the monitor.

Where the monitor is configured for operation with the fluid andcontainer type desired, the user may need to instruct the monitor of thefluid and container types. For example, a monitor may be operable with avariety of fluid and container types, and a user may need to select thefluid and/or container types via an input on the monitor from a list offluid and/or container types that with which the monitor is configuredto operate.

Once the monitor is configured to operate with the appropriate fluid andcontainer types, a user can then attach the monitor to the containerfrom which the fluid will be poured. In certain embodiments, the monitorshould be attached to the container about the axis with which thecontainer will be poured, so that the angle of tilt/tip detected by theaccelerometer of the monitor is the same as the tilt/tip angle of thecontainer. In certain embodiments, a plurality of monitors may beattached to the container and networked together such that the containermay be tilted/tipped at any angle, and the plurality of monitors, eachhaving at least one accelerometer, may determine the appropriatetilt/tip angle of the container from which fluid is being poured.

Next, the user instructs the monitor of the initial volume of fluidwithin the container. In certain embodiments, where the initial volumeis known, the user may enter the information into the monitor directly,via an input. Where the initial fluid volume is not known, the user mustcalibrate the monitor with the initial volume. For example, the user maytilt/tip the container to the point where fluid begins to flow from thecontainer and instruct the monitor to note the angle of tilt/tip. Basedon the angle of tilt/tip where fluid begins to flow and using thecontainer property values, a calibration processor can calculate theinitial volume of fluid in the container.

Next, the container is returned to rest and the fluid is given propertime to settle. The container may then be tilted/tipped as necessary topour fluid from the container. An output, such as a display screen or aremotely controlled display reports the amount of fluid poured from thecontainer. Alternatively, the display may report the amount of fluidremaining in the container, the present flow rate of fluid from thecontainer, the ambient temperature or any of the other values used bythe monitor in calculating the volume of fluid poured. When thecontainer is returned to an upright position, or to a tilt/tip angle atwhich fluid no longer pours from the container, the monitor may bemanipulated by a user to obtain any desired information regarding thefluid in the container.

A study was conducted using a 55 gallon drum and various small (lessthan 5 gallon) containers with various fluids such as water, oil andpaint. The study noted that the accuracy of the fluid calculations isdirectly dependent on the accuracy of the container parameters tomodeled form. For example, for a rectangular container, not only islength, width, and height of the container vital, but also thedimensions on any rounded edges and the location and sizes of openings.Likewise for a cylinder container, any non cylinder properties leftunmeasured can affect the accuracy of the container volume. The volumecalculations from the measurements are often non-trivial, especially forcylinders and for rectangular containers tilted/tipped in two directionsat once; this affects the speed to produce the calculations andaccuracy. Containers with flimsy sides may also limit the accuracy,since when full they will bulge out and vice versa when empty. The studyconcluded that the larger flow rates resulting from the use of fluidsthat are less viscous are affected less by surface tension than arefluids with higher viscosities. Accordingly, the accuracy of thecalculations is greater when using fluids that have lower viscosity, andcontainers that have higher rigidity.

The present technology has now been described in such full, clear,concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art towhich it pertains, to practice the same. It is to be understood that theforegoing describes preferred embodiments and examples of the presenttechnology and that modifications may be made therein without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.Moreover, while particular elements, embodiments and applications of thepresent technology have been shown and described, it will be understood,of course, that the present technology is not limited thereto sincemodifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure, particularly in light of theforegoing teachings and appended claims. Moreover, it is also understoodthat the embodiments shown in the drawings, if any, and as describedabove are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit thescope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims asinterpreted according to the principles of patent law, including theDoctrine of Equivalents. Further, all references cited herein areincorporated in their entirety.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A volumetric measurement device formonitoring the volume of fluid within a container, said volumetricmeasurement device comprising: a) at least one accelerometer detectingthe angle of tilt of the container; b) a flow-rate processor forcalculating a flow rate value of the fluid poured from the container; c)a volume processor for calculating the volume of the fluid within thecontainer; d) a fluid property processor providing at least one fluidicproperty value of a fluid stored in said container, d) a calibrationprocessor for determining an initial volume of fluid within thecontainer; and e) a central processor for monitoring the interactionbetween the accelerometer, the flow-rate processor and the volumeprocessor; wherein said volumetric measurement device is configured forattachment to the container, wherein said container is a 55-gallon drum,and further wherein, when said container is tipped for pouring, theflow-rate processor calculates the rate of flow of the fluid poured fromthe container based at least in part on the angle of tilt of thecontainer, the at least one fluidic property value of the fluid withinthe container, and the volume of fluid within the container.
 2. Thevolumetric measurement device of claim 1, wherein said volumetricmeasurement device is further configured for attachment to the containerabout the tipping axis of said container.
 3. The volumetric measurementdevice of claim 1, further comprising a display showing a value for thevolume of fluid transferred from, or remaining in, the container.
 4. Thevolumetric measurement device of claim 1, wherein the at least onefluidic property value provided by the fluid property processor includesat least one of dynamic viscosity, kinematic viscosity, fluid density orfluid specific gravity measurement, or a combination thereof.
 5. Thevolumetric measurement device of claim 1, further comprising an inputdevice allowing a user to enter information pertaining to at least onefluidic property value.
 6. The volumetric measurement device of claim 5,wherein the input device allows the user to select a fluid type from alist of pre-stored fluid types, each fluid type having at least onepre-assigned fluid property value.
 7. The volumetric measurement deviceof claim 1, wherein said calibration device comprises an input deviceallowing a user to enter the initial volume of fluid in the container.8. The volumetric measurement device of claim 1, further comprising atemperature gauge for monitoring the ambient temperature, wherein the atleast one fluidic property value is based on the ambient temperature. 9.The volumetric measurement device of claim 1, wherein, when saidcontainer is tipped for pouring, said a flow-rate processor continuouslycalculates the flow rate value of the fluid poured from the containerand said volume processor continuously calculates the volume of thefluid within the container.
 10. A method for measuring the volume offluid poured from a 55-gallon drum comprising the steps of: a) providinga monitor comprising an accelerometer and at least one processor; b)attaching the accelerometer to the 55-gallon drum at a location aboutthe tipping axis of the 55-gallon drum; c) determining the initialvolume of fluid in the 55-gallon drum; d) tilting the 55-gallon drumalong the tipping axis; e) measuring the angle of tilt of the 55-gallondrum using said monitor; f) monitoring the duration of the pour; g)calculating the rate of flow of fluid poured from the 55-gallon drumwith said at least one processor based at least in part on i) the angleof tilt measured by said monitor; and ii) the determined initial volumeof fluid in the 55-gallon drum; h) calculating the present volume offluid remaining in the 55-gallon drum with said at least one processorbased at least in part on said initial volume, said calculated rate offlow and said duration of the pour; and i) updating the rate of flow andthe present volume of fluid in the 55-gallon drum.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising monitoring the ambient temperature with atemperature gage, and further wherein the flow rate of fluid poured fromthe 55-gallon drum is based at least in part on the measured ambienttemperature.
 12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step ofdisplaying the amount of fluid remaining in, or poured from, the55-gallon drum on a display.
 13. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising the step of inputting data into the monitor to calculate flowrate of fluid poured from the 55-gallon drum based upon the datainputted.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said data inputted is theinitial volume of fluid in the 55-gallon drum.
 15. The method of claim13, further comprising inputting fluidic property values or containerproperty values into the monitor.
 16. The method of claim 10, whereinthe fluid is water.
 17. The method of claim 10, wherein the fluid isoil.
 18. The method of claim 10, wherein the fluid is a render of waterand oil.
 19. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the initialvolume measurement comprises the steps of: i) tilting the 55-gallon drumto a point at which fluid begins to pour from the 55-gallon drum; ii)recording the initial pouring angle of tilt where fluid begins to pourfrom the 55-gallon drum; iii) calculating the initial volume based uponthe physical dimensions of the 55-gallon drum and the initial pouringangle of tilt.
 20. A fluid storage system for monitoring the volume offluid in a container, the system comprising: a) a container capable ofstoring a fluid; b) at least one pouring monitor comprising: i) at leastone accelerometer attached to said container for detecting the angle oftilt of the container; ii) at least one fluid property processorproviding at least one fluidic property value of the fluid in thecontainer; iii) at least one flow-rate processor for calculating a flowrate value of the fluid poured from the container; iv) at least onevolume processor for calculating the volume of fluid within thecontainer; v) at least one calibration processor for determining aninitial volume of fluid within the container; and vi) at least onecentral processor for monitoring of the interaction between the at leastone accelerometer, the at least one fluid property processor, the atleast one flow-rate processor and the at least one volume processor;wherein said container is a 55-gallon drum and further wherein, whensaid container is tipped for pouring, the flow-rate processor calculatesthe rate of flow of the fluid poured from the container based at leastin part on the angle of tilt of the container, the at least one fluidicproperty value of the fluid within the container, and the volume offluid within the container.
 21. The fluid storage system of claim 20,wherein said a flow-rate processor continuously calculates the flow ratevalue of the fluid poured from the container, and said volume processorcontinuously calculates the volume of the fluid within the containerwhen said container is tipped for pouring.
 22. The fluid storage systemof claim 20, further comprising a display showing at least one of thepresent amount of the volume of fluid within the container and thepresent amount of the volume of fluid poured from the container.
 23. Thefluid storage system of claim 20, wherein the at least one fluidicproperty value provided by the fluid property processor includes atleast one of dynamic viscosity, kinematic viscosity, fluid density orfluid specific gravity measurement, or a combination thereof.
 24. Thefluid storage system of claim 23, further comprising an input deviceallowing a user to enter information pertaining to at least one fluidicproperty value.
 25. The fluid storage system of claim 24, wherein theinput device allows the user to select a fluid type from a list ofpre-stored fluid types, each fluid type having at least one pre-assignedfluid property value.
 26. The fluid storage system of claim 20, whereinsaid calibration device comprises an input device allowing a user toenter the initial volume of fluid in the container.
 27. The fluidstorage system of claim 20, further comprising a temperature gauge formonitoring the ambient temperature, wherein the at least one fluidicproperty value is based on the ambient temperature.
 28. The fluidstorage system of claim 20, wherein the at least one accelerometer isattached to the container about the tipping axis of the container. 29.The fluid storage system of claim 20, further comprising a plurality ofaccelerometers attached to the container.
 30. The fluid storage systemof claim 29, wherein said plurality of accelerometers are networkedtogether to determine the angle of tilt of the container.